how to shop for a car battery

The most common reason for calling emergency roadside assistance services during the cold fall or winter months is when your car doesn't start because of battery failure. When operating during freezing temperatures, a battery in good condition would provide about half the output than if the battery were operating during optimal temperatures, around 80 degrees.

Because vehicles are much more technologically sophisticated than they used to be  especially in terms of computer controls and electrical components  it is very important to make sure that a qualified service technician can diagnose battery issues and replace damaged batteries. When it comes to a car that doesn't start, issues other than a bad battery could be the culprit... The problem could possibly be loose or corroded wires or connections, loose alternator belts, a faulty alternator, or even extra drain on the electrical system caused by a bad component! All of these can appear on the surface to be symptoms of a weak or bad battery even though that may not be the case.

Our service technicians can expertly diagnose battery problems, and let you know if you need to replace your battery.

DO YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY?

The best way to get your battery tested is by car service professionals, using the electronic testers available at most automotive shops. There are some things, though, that you should know about car batteries to better educate yourself. Car batteries are rated by a measure called "cold amps" or a CCA rating. The cold amps indicates the battery's actual stored power. For the average car to start, it would take about 400 amps, and 15 amps to run the car's headlights. The higher the "amps" the battery creates, the higher the CCA rating. The power of the battery comes from how big the "plates" are , and how many there are. As a result, it determines the number of amps it will provide. The more plates it has, the higher the life expectancy of the car battery, which can translate to the difference between a 3 year warranty and a 5 year warranty battery.

There are some other factors that affect the life expectancy of the car battery. Both depend on your driving habits. One of them is the distance of your driving trips. The shorter your driving trips (twenty minutes or less), the shorter your battery's overall life expectancy. This is because when you only drive a short distance, it doesn't give it enough time to fully recharge.

Another factor is that extreme temperatures affect the life of your car battery. Extremely hot and freezing temperatures take a toll on your battery life. If you live somewhere with extremely cold temperatures, you're in luck if your battery has a higher CCA rating. This is due to the fact that when starting your vehicle Iin colder climates, it takes twice as much current to turn over the cold engine.

Another thing to keep in mind is the reserve capacity rating (RC). This rating lets you know how long your accessories can run and still have enough power to start up your engine next time you start it. It is wise to have a higher RC rating than a CCA if you drive in mild climates.

When having your battery replaced, it is extremely important to make sure the battery cables are clean. The best way to do this is to use an anti-corrosive spray.

The average car battery lasts about four years. If you are approaching this number, yet you are not experiencing any battery problems, then it is smart to have a load capacity test on the battery, to test how strong it is, and how long it will continue to work the way it is supposed to.

Most car battery problems occur when the start of the colder weather hits. Don't wait until it is too late to get fixed because weak batteries are not dependable.

[1]2018 Models - Based on 2018 EPA Estimated mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.
[2]2018 Models - Based on 2018 EPA Estimated mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.
[3]2017 Models - Based on 2017 EPA Estimated mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.
[4]Hybrid Models: Ratings determined by EPA. Use for comparison purposes only. Your MPGe/MPG will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery-pack age/condition, and other factors.
[5]NHTSA Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the U.S. Department of Transportations New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). Model tested with standard side airbags (SAB).
[6]For more information, visit Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. Kelley Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc.
[7]View U.S. News Best Cars at http://www.usnews.com/cars.
[8]Car and Driver, January 2017. 2017 CR-V won compact SUV category. 2017 Ridgeline won mid-size pick-up.
[9]Car and Driver, January 2018.
[10]The 2018 Motor Trend SUV of the YearÂ® includes the full Honda CR-V lineup.
[11]2017 IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with Honda Sensingâ„¢ and specific headlights.
[12]2017 IIHS Top Safety Pick with Honda Sensingâ„¢
[13]Virtual Inventory, Available Configurations and In-Transit inventory contains vehicles that have not actually been manufactured. These vehicles show consumers sample vehicles that may be available. Pricing, Options, Color and other data pertaining to these vehicles are provided for example only. All information pertaining to these vehicles should be independently verified through the dealer.
[14]Some vehicles may have dealer installed options that are not included in the price.
[15]Used vehicles may not be equipped the same as when they are purchased new from the factory.